Menez Reveals United Rejection

Jeremy Menez says he turned down move to Manchester United at 15 years old

France winger Jeremy Menez says he rejected a move to Manchester United when he was 15 years old.

The Paris St Germain player is currently part of the French Euro 2012 squad led by Laurent Blanc, however the 25-year-old failed to make his debut European Championship appearance in the draw against England.

Menez began his professional career with Socheaux, however as a trainee at Les Lionceaux, Menez has revealed he had the option to sign for United, but opted to continue his development in his homeland.

Menez says he was close to moving to United.

"It was a real pleasure," he said. "Manchester, I saw them on TV. This is a great coach, great players, and I was flattered that this club is interested in me.

"In the office of Mr. Ferguson, with my brother, there was much talk, he explained what he wanted with me, but it was too early to go abroad. Well, I still hesitate, it's true.

"You tell yourself that it may be now or never. But in these times, we must remain calm. It was only three years I was at Sochaux and I was not necessarily a hurry to leave. A few obvious choices do not regret it."

The big spending Ligue 1 runners-up came just short in their hopes of beating Montpellier to their first ever top flight domestic title, and Menez is likely to play an important part in the club's hopes in the Champions League next season.

This summer however, Menez is fully concentrated on his international commitments, and makes up part of a French side which is unbeaten in their last 22 games, the latest shut-out being against England in Donetsk in their opening Euro 2012 group match.

France are among the most fancied nations at this summer's finals, given their run under Blanc and the plethora of attacking talent at their manager's disposal, which has contributed to Menez missing out against England.

Menez joins a long list of players who came close to moving to Old Trafford, with the likes of Paul Gascoigne, Ronaldinho and Joe Hart among those who came close to move to United.

Despite the rejection from the Frenchman, his signing would have come at a time when United were blessed with some of British football's leading wide players, with the likes of David Beckham and Ryan Giggs at the helm, while Menez's emergence into the first team would likely have coincided with the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo.